TYPES OF SPEECHS

TYPES OF SPEECHS

1. What is a speech?

   • A speech refers to an informal or formal talk given to an audience.
   • Giving a speech allows you to address a group of people to express your thoughts and oftentimes, your opinion.
   • You can find speeches in many different environments and with many different purposes.
   • While you can give a quick speech before introducing someone, you can also give a speech to persuade others to see your point of view.
   • Since speeches occur in a variety of settings and for different purposes, they fall into different categories.
   • Knowing the various types of speeches can help you determine which best suits your needs the next time you speak publicly.

2. Informative speech

   • Informative speeches aim to educate an audience on a particular topic or message.
   • Unlike demonstrative speeches, they don't use visual aids.
   • They do, however, use facts, data and statistics to help audiences grasp a concept.

3. Entertaining speech

   • Los discursos entretenidos tienen como objetivo divertir a una multitud de personas.
   • Often less formal and shorter than traditional speeches, entertaining speeches communicate emotions rather than giving the audience facts and figures.
   • Rather, they often include humor or funny stories.

4. Demonstrative speech

   • Demonstrative speeches serve to educate an audience about a topic or idea they don't have knowledge of.
   • While you can easily confuse a demonstrative speech with an informative speech, a demonstrative speech actually demonstrates how to do something.
   • While they're informing the public about their new products, they're demonstrating how they work, thus, making it a demonstrative speech.

5. Persuasive speech

   • Persuasive speeches help convince an audience that the speaker has the right opinion on a particular topic.
   • Persuasive speeches can cover any topic from entertainment to something more serious like politics.
   • With enough facts to back up your opinion, you have a greater chance of receiving the audience's support.
   • Keep in mind that persuasive speeches can also use emotions to help the audience better understand the speaker's opinions and feelings.

6. Oratorical speech

   • While oratorical refers to the act of speech giving, an oratorical speech refers to a specific type of speech.
   • They're typically more formal than other types of speeches. While some oratorical speeches can be long such as those found at funerals or graduations, others may be short and more informal such as a toast at a special event.

7. Debate speech

   • Debate speeches refer to a type of speech that often follows a certain set of rules and takes place during a debate event.
   • During a debate, all sides have an equal amount of time to speak on behalf of their opinion or view.
   • Rather than trying to convince someone to join a particular side as with a persuasive speech, debate speeches aim to justify an opinion on a particular matter.
   • As you prepare for a debate speech, you get to improve your public speaking, research and critical thinking skills.

8. Special occasion speech

   • Special occasion speeches don't fall into a particular category and don't follow a set format.
   • Instead, they aim to fit the special occasion, whether it's a wedding, an award show or a birthday party.
   • Special occasion speeches aim to fit the context of the environment to effectively communicate the message and gain the audience's attention.

9. Pitch speech

   • Pitch speeches try to get support or approval for an idea, product or solution.
   • Pitch speeches can also be part of a greater presentation such as one found in an office when you're trying to get your colleagues or superiors on board with a particular idea or approach.

10. Motivational speech

    • Motivational speeches aim to inspire an audience and give attendees the confidence to do something better or improve themselves.
    • They essentially serve to lift the audience's spirits and improve their self-esteem.
    • The coaches give this type of speech to inspire their team to perform better on the field or court.

11. Impromptu speech

    • An impromptu speech refers to a speech you deliver without any prior preparation or rehearsal time.
    • Because of the nature of an impromptu speech, giving one can often feel intimidating and cause a great deal of stress since you had no time to prepare.
    • However, with some guidance and experience, you're better able to deliver an impromptu speech with confidence.

12. Farewell speech

    • A farewell speech refers to a speech where you say your goodbyes to a group of people.
    • Since farewell speeches often have a sad tone, they often generate strong emotions in both the speaker and the audience.

13. Explanatory speech

    • Explanatory speeches describe a situation or particular thing.
    • While they're similar to demonstrative speeches, explanatory speeches provide a breakdown on how to do something while providing the audience with a detailed step-by-step process.

14. Eulogy or funeral speech

    • Funeral or eulogy speeches aim to honor a recently passed individual in front of an audience attending a funeral service.
    • The speaker tries to find the right words to not only honor the individual with a heartfelt speech but also praise them for what they achieved when they were alive.

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